Chapter Seven

***

Rúmil shook his head. Haldir just simply was not acting like himself. About two weeks ago he had seemed to cheer up, if only a little, after Lady Galadriel supposedly talked to him. Unfortunately, in the two weeks that had passed, Haldir seemed to draw back even more than usual. He was back to his cold, aloof self, and sometimes he seemed even worse than usual. As his brother, Rúmil had been trying to pay no heed to it, but it was getting to be difficult.

He assumed it had something, well, everything, to do with Corwyn, who had disappeared after the one watch she had gone on. Well, disappeared from Haldir’s sight, anyway. Rúmil had seen her once or twice in the past three weeks, down by the river or sitting under trees, and she had smiled at him each time, but it was a strange smile. It seemed strained somehow. And if he was perfectly honest, he could tell that something was bothering her as much as it was bothering Haldir.

He had mentioned this to Haldir, but his brother had just glared at him and walked away. Orophin had his explanation for the peculiar behavior. “They’re both being hopelessly dimwitted,” he would say with a sigh, “Both denying the truth and hiding in fabrication.”

And Rúmil would have to say that he agreed.

***

“’Afternoon,” Haldir greeted his brothers as he walked into the small foyer where they were standing, waiting for him so that they could go out on watch.

Both glanced up at him in surprise, and he knew why. His voice was definitely more cheerful than usual, and with good reason.

“Uhhhh…” Orophin and Rúmil answered disbelievingly.

“Well, are you two ready to go or are you just going to sit there gaping like orcs? If we don’t leave soon the watchposts will be empty, and who knows what could happen,” Haldir replied, smiling at his brothers’ skepticism.

“Er, Haldir?” Orophin began, looking at his brother strangely, “Are you feeling well?”

“Yes, fine,” Haldir answered.

“Any particular motive for being so chipper, then?” Rúmil asked.

“I have my reasons,” Haldir said with a shrug.

Orophin examined his brother closely, and then grinned. “You’re going to talk to her today, aren’t you? You’re finally going to do it!”

Haldir frowned. “What gave you that idea?” he asked, rolling his eyes. Orophin sighed and muttered, “I shouldn’t have hoped for it,” while he walked out the door, so he didn’t catch Haldir winking at Rúmil, or Rúmil’s own smile as the he and Haldir left.

***

Dahdah-dum, dahdah-dum, dahdah-dum.

Even though the sounds were light and barely audible, Haldir could make them out. It was clearly the one-two-three beat of a horse traveling at a canter. He turned his head to look behind him, but by the time he did so, he heard the horse halt underneath his tree. He looked down.

Standing there in the fading afternoon sunshine, looking nervous and a bit out-of-place, was Corwyn. She had one hand on the neck of the little bay horse that had carried Haldir and herself three weeks ago. The other one was waving tentatively.

Haldir extended his own hand in greeting, but didn’t say a word.

Corwyn met his eyes and smiled hesitantly. “Mind if I come up?” she called.

Haldir shrugged.

Corwyn took this as a go ahead and, by navigating the little horse underneath one of the branches and standing lightly on its back, she managed to swing herself up onto the lowest of the large branches. Then it was only a matter of climbing the rest of the way up. She reached up to the branch Haldir was on and pulled herself up. Then she stood to her feet and looked at him, not sure what to say.

Haldir looked at her; her slim figure, long chocolate-colored hair, bright green eyes, and soft smile. With a painful twinge realized how much he had actually missed seeing her. He opened his mouth to say something to that effect, but she spoke first.

“Haldir, amin hiraetha. I’ve been dense. I… I was afraid that you, well, wouldn’t want to see me again.”

Haldir looked over at her. “Nothing’s your fault that I didn’t have a part in. I was actually going to go see you today, I just felt I had to tell you that…” he paused and looked embarrassed and unsure.

“Yes?” she asked, putting her smaller, finer hand on his large one. She met his gaze and smiled. “What did you have to tell me?”

Haldir was about to speak when something caught his eye out on the northern plain. He tore his hand away and looked more closely, not believing his eyes.

“What?” Corwyn asked, a bit exasperated. It never failed that something would happen just as things were getting romantic.

“Look!” Haldir whispered fiercely. “Out on the northern plain! A group of… men?”

Corwyn looked, and if she strained her eyes, she could make out eight spots moving at a quick, steady pace towards the northern border of the Wood.

“But it’s not just men,” Haldir corrected himself. “Five are too small… only children.” He frowned. “The other three look to be men… but one of them… he moves differently.”

“That’s because he’s an elf!” Corwyn exclaimed, focusing on one of the spots. She could now make out the long blonde hair and green and brown garb on one of the figures. “A wood elf!”

Haldir look bewildered. He made a bird call. His brothers quickly answered him. They saw the group, as well. Haldir let out one more call and then began to climb down the tree. He motioned for Corwyn to follow. “Hurry!” he hissed. “Get down here and hide. We’re going to ambush them.”

“What?!” Corwyn exclaimed. “But they aren’t orcs!”

Haldir didn’t appear to have heard, though, and was instead calling to his brothers. Corwyn scrambled down the tree, and upon reaching the ground was grabbed by Haldir. He pulled her behind a large tree and warned, “Don’t move and stay silent!”

He didn’t have to tell Corwyn twice. His expression alone was such that she thought he might well put an arrow through her for twitching a finger.

He gave her one last warning glance and moved up to a tree a bit further ahead, waiting. From her vantage point Corwyn could see the point where the group of eight would be entering the forest, and where the Haldir and Orophin were waiting. She assumed Rúmil was near the edge of the forest and would be following the group from behind.

She hoped Haldir hadn’t been serious about ambushing the bunch… somehow she felt that he shouldn’t.

***

Despite the dire situation he and his friends were in, Legolas couldn’t hide a smile as he jogged beside Aragorn. They were headed to Lothlorien… the Golden Wood!

All his life he had heard tales of the Realm of the Lady of the Wood, from the mallorn trees that grew there, said to be the most fair in all Middle-earth, to the clear waters of the river Silverlode that drifted through the forest, to the Lady Galadriel who lived and ruled there with Lord Celeborn. It was the place that all the Elves of the Woodland Realm dreamed of, but none ever set foot in. This made Legolas especially eager to see what the city of Caras Galadhon looked like, but to his surprise he was hit with a stab of apprehension upon entering the northern boundary.

Aragorn noticed immediately. “Legolas, what is wrong?”

The blonde elf shook his head. “I feel something, Aragorn. We are not alone.”

“We are being watched?”

“Yes, but not by orcs.”

Aragorn looked around him, but continued walking, though Legolas did see his hand resting on the hilt of his sword cautiously. “Legolas, take up the rear. If our watchers are who I believe they might be then we will be fine. But I do not know for certain, so be prepared, and don’t be foolish.” the man said, waving for everyone to follow him.

Legolas nodded and dropped back, watching the trees vigilantly, knowing that someone was there.

***

When the strange group entered the forest Corwyn was astonished to see what the makings of it were. And if Haldir’s expression meant anything, he felt the same way.

There were two men, both crusted with dirt and sweat and both carrying swords, and then, two small creatures that looked like humans in their appearance. The name hobbit registered in Corwyn’s brain, some small fact from a book she had read. The two hobbits were curly haired and decidedly cute, but clearly uneasy of being in the Wood. They were, in turn followed by, wonder of wonders, a dwarf! Corwyn felt her mouth drop open at the sight. She had read and heard stories of dwarves, about how crude and horrid they were, but this one didn’t seem so bad. He was short, stout, heavily bearded, and was carrying a large battle-axe. But he was talking in a low voice to two other hobbits, which followed behind him, and his words were not brash. And if that wasn’t strange enough, the last person in the group was an elf. He was tall and lithe, with long blonde hair and deep azure eyes. He was dressed in the green and brown leggings and garb of a wood-elf, and Corwyn could see kindness in his eyes whenever they passed over the hobbits. She immediately liked him.

She watched with horror as Haldir motioned to his brothers. They both nodded and loaded arrows. Corwyn’s eyes widened and she waved her hands to catch Orophin’s attention. He looked at her questioningly. She mimed shooting an arrow and then shook her head, mouthing “No!”

Orophin looked at Haldir and motioned, “Wait.” Haldir’s eyes narrowed as he surveyed the intruders. Waiting while trespassers just walked into the Wood was not what he was accustomed to; he did not put his arrow down. Corwyn decided to disregard Haldir’s warning, and instead moved as silently as a ghost until she was next to him. She put a hand on his arm, trying to force him to lower his arrow.

He glared.

She glared back.

***

“Stay close, master hobbit,” Gimli muttered to Frodo, glancing back at the dark-headed halfling. “An elf-witch of terrible power lives in these woods…”

Sam looked at Frodo worriedly. Things just keep getting worse, he thought to himself. Frodo’s face mirrored his thoughts.

“But stay close. I have the eyes of a hawk, and the ears of a fox!” Gimli whispered confidently.

***

Corwyn heard the dwarf’s comment about Lady Galadriel and cringed. That wouldn’t go over well with Haldir. She was right.

Haldir clenched his teeth and fists upon hearing the dwarf’s remarks. “That’s it,” he said, motioning for his brothers. “That’s it.”

Corwyn stayed behind the tree, but heard Haldir’s reply as he and his brothers surrounded the helpless group.

“A dwarf breathes so loudly, we could have shot him in the dark.”

***

All Corwyn could hear for the next few moments was silence. She finally became too curious and peeked out from behind the tree. Haldir stood with a loaded arrow pointed directly in the face of the dwarf. Orophin flanked him and Rúmil stood behind, but both had arrows pointed at the elf of the group, who had his own bow ready.

The darker man, the one who Corwyn assumed was the leader, turned to the elf and made a motion with his hands. The elf unloaded his bow, but kept his eyes focused on the marchwardens warily.

Then Haldir spoke. “Aragorn, son of Arathorn, explain yourself. Quickly.”

The dark man, whom Haldir had recognized, spoke.

“Haldir of Lorien,” he began, clearly relieved to see Haldir, “we are eight companions set out from Rivendell. Our number was nine, but one fell while we traveled through the mines of Moria.”

“Moria?” Orophin asked, impressed. “You went through Moria?” Haldir glared at him.

“Yes, unfortunately. And we did not leave alone. A number of the orcs pursue us now, and we seek the counsel and safety of the Lady Galadriel in Caras Galadhon.”

“You know that you would normally be more than welcome here, Aragorn, but you now bring danger to the Golden Wood,” Haldir said, his steely eyes falling upon Frodo. “Perhaps more than you mention.”

The hobbit shifted uncomfortably. Haldir continued. “Tell me, what is the true business that two men, one a Ranger, one a son of Gondor, four halflings, an elf, and a dwarf have in Lothlorien?”

“That is for your elf-witch queen to find out,” the dwarf said angrily, turning to the leader. “Aragorn, I think we should go back.”

“The Lady of the Wood is no witch!” Haldir exclaimed furiously, whipping out an arrow. “And you cannot go back, now that you have entered her realm. You must be brought before the Lord and the Lady. They shall judge you; to hold you, or to give you leave, as they will. You cannot cross the rivers again, and behind you now, there is a secret sentinel that you cannot pass. You would be slain before you saw him.” Corwyn saw Rúmil grin at that comment, but Haldir kept talking. “So feel free to turn back, if you would like to return to your lands dead.” He pulled back his arrow to shoot.

“Haldir, no!” Corwyn yelled shrilly, stepping from behind the tree. “Let them be!”

One of the halflings, a lighter headed one with a scarf looked at Corwyn approvingly.

“Yeah, let us be!” he chided, flinching when Haldir glowered at him.

Haldir then shot Corwyn a spiteful look. She ignored him and stepped forward, the group regarding her curiously. “I apologize for my companion,” she said to the dark headed man, “I am Corwyn Anelith of Lorien. These are Rúmil,” she motioned behind the group, “Orophin, and, as you seem to know, Haldir.”

The man gave her a small smile. “I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn, and I have visited these Woods before.” He pointed at the rest of his group as he introduced them. The man of Gondor was called Boromir, the dwarf was Gimli, son of Gloin, the four hobbits were Frodo, Sam, Pippin, and Merry, and the elf, who gave Corwyn a striking smile, was Legolas.

Corwyn nodded at all of them, then turned to Haldir and spoke in Elvish. “Haldir, we must take them to Galadriel.”

“What?!” Haldir exclaimed. “They’re trespassers in the Wood. Aragorn would be allowed… perhaps even the elf, but the rest? Why would such races be traveling together? It is simply too risky to lead them to the city.”

“It would be riskier still to leave them here, or even to kill them,” Corwyn replied. “They didn’t come from Rivendell for nothing, nor do I assume they risked Moria for nothing. They aren’t telling us everything, but I believe they are telling us enough. They are safe to lead to Caras Galadhon.”

Haldir shook his head. “The little one, the one with dark hair, I don’t like something about him, he brings peril.” He looked at Frodo, who met his gaze uneasily. Sam glared at the Elf.

Corwyn watched the one called Frodo for a moment. Her eyes narrowed as a revelation came over her. She turned to Haldir. “It’s because he carries the Ring, Haldir,” she whispered.

“The Ring? You cannot mean…”

“Yes, I do. And I also think that that is what brought this diverse bunch together. We must take them to the Lady. She will know what to do. We cannot kill anyone, much less the bearer of the Ring of Power. And we cannot leave them without helping them. If a band of orcs were to find them… were to find It…” she trailed off, leaving the rest to Haldir’s imagination.

“Yes, fine.” Haldir muttered angrily. “But the dwarf has to be blindfolded. No dwarf has ever so much as laid eyes on the golden city, and if this one has to, then he is not going to be able to lay eyes on the path leading to it.”

Corwyn sighed with relief. “All right.”

She turned to Aragorn and switched back into the western tongue. “We will take your group to see the Lady of the Wood. But the dwarf must be blindfolded.”

“WHAT?!” Gimli yelled angrily. “I’ve never heard such nonsense! I refuse to go blindfolded! I am no prisoner! You’ll have to kill me before I’ll allow myself to be led by an Elf!”

Corwyn saw Haldir raise his eyebrows. She turned to the dwarf and spoke quietly to him.

“Listen, you may yet get that wish, my friend is quite ill-tempered. You’re lucky you haven’t been shot already. But the only way that the marchwardens will take you back to the city is if you will go blindfolded.”

“I refuse!” he shouted. Corwyn was overcome with the urge to strangle him, but luckily the wood-elf, Legolas, intervened.

“My lady, if Gimli must go blindfolded, I will as well.” He said, keeping his eyes locked into Corwyn’s even when Gimli looked up at him incredulously.

“But you are an Elf,” Corwyn said, “You are allowed to travel opened eyed into Lothlorien.”

Legolas smiled and looked dryly at the dwarf. “But Gimli is a companion in the Fellowship and if he is blindfolded then I must be as well.” He turned to Gimli. “Now will you allow yourself to be led?”

Gimli regarded Haldir and his brothers skeptically, then looked at Corwyn for a moment. He finally nodded and gave his answer. “I suppose. But the lass must stay close by, I don’t trust the others.”

Corwyn giggled while Haldir exchanged looks with his brothers.

“If two of my companions are to be led, then I will be led as one of them,” Aragorn said.

Orophin raised his brows with amazement. Aragorn shrugged.

“So must then I,” Boromir added.

“And us!” Merry shouted, grabbing Pippin’s arm.

Sam looked at Frodo. He wasn’t sure if he trusted the Elves to lead them, especially with Mister Frodo carrying the Ring… and the way that the snobbish elf had looked at Frodo… Sam was sure he knew about the Ring.

But Frodo wasn’t worried. “Sam and I will be blindfolded, as well.” He said.

Haldir sighed. What was this, a fellowship of idiots? But if they all wanted to be blindfolded, let them be. “Fine, once we’ve killed the orcs you say are following you, we’ll take you to the city. How far behind you are they?”

“Not by much, I estimate they will be here before the last light skips away.” Boromir answered.

“Then let’s prepare.” Rúmil said, pulling out an arrow. “We haven’t much time.”

***

Corwyn was laughing as Pippin showed her a small magic trick when the sound of many footsteps filled the air. Everyone looked up. Legolas leapt down from the tree branch he had been in.

“They’re almost upon us,” he said.

Haldir nodded. He and his brothers got up and placed themselves about the clearing. Aragorn looked at Boromir and they both went to wait as well, followed by Gimli.

Legolas turned to the hobbits and Corwyn. “You five go hide.” He saw Corwyn’s defiant face and nodded. “Not that I doubt your skill with a bow, my lady, but I would rather wish to see you stay safe.” He then loaded his own bow before continuing. “And someone must watch after the little ones… they can easily cause a great deal trouble.” He smiled at her momentarily, then turned and made his way to a strategic position.

Corwyn stood for a moment, dazed a little from his smile. She was still standing when the orcs ran into the woods and only Sam, running out and grabbing her hand, made her realize it would be best to stay concealed.

***

The sounds of fighting filled the clearing, but Corwyn listened closely, and only heard screams of pain from orcs. She breathed a sigh of relief. She got to her knees and peered over the rock behind which she and the four hobbits were sitting when somebody grabbed her arm.

“Corwyn! Corwyn!” she heard Merry’s voice whispering as he tugged her dress sleeve.

“Shhhh! What?” she answered.

But Merry didn’t have to answer. Corwyn heard the crunch of footsteps behind her and knew that an orc was there. She turned around, wide eyes and terrified, and faced the creature.

It was ugly, black skinned and cat-eyed, with dirty armor and a long, dull blade. All Corwyn could think about was how much it would hurt to be hit with that blade, and how much she didn’t want the hobbits to be wounded. The orc let out a battle squeal and raised its weapon.

Then it fell to the ground, black blood spurting wildly out of a wound, from which an arrow stuck out.

“Well that was a bit undramatic,” Pippin said, examining the dead orc with surprise.

Corwyn whirled around. Who had saved her? She looked into the battle, and saw Legolas facing her way. Of course, she thought smiling a little. She didn’t notice that the arrow was one of a Lothlorien bowman.

***

Before long, the battle ended. It was clear from the amount of black blood on the ground and the triumphant, but tired, look on everyone’s faces when they returned who had won. They were all sweaty, dirty, and covered in orc blood. But nobody seemed to have sustained any injuries. For that, Corwyn was relieved.

“Well, I suppose we shall head to Caras Galadhon now.” Haldir said, wiping his bloodied hands on his leggings.

Aragorn only nodded, took the strips of cloth from Orophin, and began tying them around everybody’s eyes.

***

“Watch out, there’s a log about two steps ahead.”

“Thank you.”

Corwyn walked in step with Legolas, and watched as he picked his feet up a bit higher to clear the small fallen log. It was nighttime, and Corwyn was helping Legolas find his way to the city. The bay horse walked placidly behind, carrying the four hobbits who were all tired, scared, and saddened. Corwyn didn’t ask what had happened in Moria, and she figured that by the company’s faces whenever it was mentioned that it was best to keep it that way.

Rúmil, the most patient of the three brothers, was helping the dwarf, who kept calling out to make sure his group, and Corwyn, were still with him and that he was not being led down a different path. Orophin and Haldir walked by the men. A small smile rose to Corwyn’s lips as she watched Haldir. He had discovered that Aragorn spoke Elvish, and was conversing with him quietly. He had been strangely silent towards her ever since she had offered to help lead Legolas and the hobbits. She sighed. It seemed Haldir was always upset with her for one thing or another.

“Why do you sigh?” Legolas asked her. “You sound so forlorn.”

Corwyn shook her head and kept a watch on the path while she spoke. “I can never please the person I wish to please at the time I most wish to please them.”

“I don’t see how anyone could be displeased with you, Corwyn Anelith.”

“You obviously don’t know Hal—” she stopped. Stupid, stupid, stupid! She had almost said his name!

Legolas smiled briefly. “He’ll learn.”

Corwyn was silent. She sure hoped so.

***

“We’re here, Caras Galadhon, and the home of the Lord and Lady of the Golden Wood.” Orophin said as the group entered the city boundaries. It was night, and the mallorns were all lit incredibly with a glowing blue light. “You may remove your blindfolds.”

The group all did so, and Corwyn smiled at the awe on the faces of the hobbits. She turned to Legolas, who surveyed the towering trees. “It is beautiful here,” he said. “It reminds me of home.”

“What is Mirkwood like?” Corwyn asked curiously. “Is it really like Lothlorien?”

Legolas turned to her as the group kept walking, heading towards the palace where Rúmil had already ran ahead to tell the Lady and Lord of the unexpected visitors. “It is much darker, much greener. But there are many trees, not as fair as the mallorns here, but beautiful still. All my life I have wanted to see the Golden Wood, I suppose I am lucky to have the chance now…”

“But now that you have seen Lorien, I must see Mirkwood.” Corwyn said.

Legolas would have replied, but they reached the steps that led to the palace. Corwyn helped the hobbits from the horse’s back, and watched as they began to climb the steps.

“Oh, and Legolas,” she called in Elvish. He looked down at her. “Thanks.”

“For what?” he called back.

“For saving the hobbits and I back there, you know, shooting that orc.”

Legolas looked puzzled, but didn’t reply as Aragorn had put a hand on his arm, telling him to hurry.

Corwyn shook her head and turned around, ready to head to her own telain. What she had planned as a short evening meeting with Haldir had turned into a long, strange night.

She walked away humming to herself, not seeing the hurt look on Haldir’s face, or knowing the truth which was that it had been Haldir, not Legolas, that had saved her.

Ignorance is bliss.

***